is a cornucopia of literary and artistic delights from the pen, brush, and chisel of the author. Mine is the 1955 first edition of J. M. Dent protected by a somewhat worn jacket.
The embossed designs on the front board and the spine are therefore as fresh as they were 64 years ago.
Gibbings earned his living as a highly skilled and sought after wood engraver. This book tells of a trip to Paris and to Positano following his desire for colour and brushes as a break from the black and white bread and butter work. The writer’s memoirs are peppered with fascinating anecdotes from his own encounters and from tales of other artists. The history and geography of his subjects are presented with deceptive ease.
The book contains eight colour plates, one of which is repeated on the jacket above.
There are also forty examples of Gibbings’s wood engravings. These scans of sample pages offer the reader tastes of his elegantly simple prose; the last image above containing one of his many entertaining and informative insights into the art world.
I especially love those colored pictures, although I have no idea how you’d get that from a wood engraving.
I have lots of his engraved illustrations – I’ll enlarge the next set. Thanks very much, Jodie
Thank YOU!
Intresting
Thanks a lot, Mrs. W
Your welcome
What a treasure!
What a lovely book to treasure
It is, Brian. Many thanks
Beautiful illustrations–both the color and the engravings over the chapter titles.
Thanks very much, Merril. There will be more of his work
These are stunning.
Many thanks, Dad
Thanks for sharing this book sampling – I bookmarked this post and plan to come back and read a few of those pages later this weekend
😉
Thanks very much, Yvette
What a wonderful book! Thanks for sharing, Derrick. I hope you’re feeling better.
Thanks very much, Jill. I am improving, but Jackie now has the cold
Nice photos from ypour book, but equally inviting dinner menu. BON APETITE!
Thanks very much, Gary
That looks like an interesting memoir to read, Derrick. Thank you!
It is, Lavinia. Many thanks
Wow!
Thanks a lot, Arlene
I love the paintings and the delicate engravings. Thank you for sharing this wonderful book with us, Derrick.
Thanks very much for the appreciation, Clare
That is a priceless edition, truly a cornucopia as you have said. Thanks for sharing, Derrick.
I’m pleased you agree, Uma. Thanks very much
Such lovely pictures, oh to be so creative and engrave something so perfect.
Yes indeed, Sue. Thanks very much
Some books have a beauty all of their own!
I’m pleased you see that this is one. Thanks a lot, John
Wonderful share.
Thanks very much, Rupali
Nicely done connecting the hat full of fruit with a cornucopia of artistic merit and delights!
Trusting your recovery is gaining momentum, despite the weather. 🙂
Thanks very much, Bob. Getting there
Really, really nice!
Thanks very much, Laurie
Looks like a wonderful read and the artwork is so beautiful! Thank you for sharing this with us! 🙂
How are you feeling today, Derrick?
More prayers and (((HUGS)))
PS…”The eye of winter had begun to wink a bit earlier in the mornings…”
“Scarce as second-hand coffins…”
What great opening lines! 🙂
PPS or PSS…Lemon drizzle cake sounds heavenly!
Thanks very much, Carolyn. Glad you enjoyed the prose, too. I am on the mend. X
Enjoying your literary posts Derrick, yet hitting a hurdle with my local library in obtaining a copy, a number seem to only be located in universities and not open to the general public without a fee, which I don’t mind, not to worry as many off my other requests seem to be only obtained from state archives especially manuscripts, keep sharing mate as I enjoy the adventure.
They are almost all available on the internet, Ian. Thanks very much.
The colour plates are exquisite, matching the elegance of the text. Thank you for sharing, Derrick.
Thanks very much, Dolly
Very welcome, Derrick
Jackie’s recipe at the end of this post is incredible!
What a delicious delight a meal with foods called “piquant” and “drizzle” must be!
Many thanks, krcc
Hope you are both returning to health.
That looks like an excellent book – great pictures and interesting anecdotes.
Many thanks from us both, Quercus – the book is good – short, too 🙂
Short is good when you are recuperating. 🙂
A wonderful book to sit with and gaze at.
It is. Thanks very much, LL/PS